Aqua-sled



March 26, 1963 1'. KIMURA 3,082,443

AQUA-SLED Filed June 6, 1960 United States Patent O 3,082,443 AQUA-SLE!)Tal; Kimura, Tiif W. 56th St., Los Angeles 37, Calif. Fiied .lune 6,196i), Ser. No. 34,302 4 Ciaims. (Cl. 9-31) This invention relates toaquaplanes and, more particularly, to an aqua-sled which can be towedalong the surface of a body of water.

An aquaplane is a platform attached -by ropes astern of a powerboat, onwhich a person may ride as it is towed rapidly over the water. As with ahydroplane, the dynamic reaction of the water supports the aquaplane andits passenger when the aquaplane is in high speed motion. The popularityof aquaplanes and of water skies has been rapidly increasing throughoutthe world even though considerable skill is required for utilizing suchapparatus. Many persons cannot participate in such water sports becauseof the demanding skills required. The ditiiculties Iarise becauseaquaplanes and water skies are not sufciently buoyant at slow speeds orat standstill to support a person on them in position for utilizing theapparatus. Moreover, at high speeds when the dynamic reaction of thewater provides for suflicient buoyancy, the stability of such apparatusis exceedingly poor causing even Skilled persons to often fall into thewater. Though these difiiculties increase the challenge for somepersons, they prevent many others from even attempting such watersports. People who are not athletic, who are elderly or very young, orWho are poor swimmers all do not participate in such water sports.

In a specific illustrative embodiment of this invention, a buoyant andhighly stable aqua-sled is provided. The aqua-sled is highly buoyant sothat it can readily support a few hundred pounds even when it is notbeing towed. The dynamic reaction of water tends to increase thebuoyancy eect to raise the nose of the aqua-sled from the water surfacewhen the aqua-sled is being towed.

In the specific illustrative embodiment, the aqua-sled has two seatsdeiined by a body section. The body is quite narrow and is contiguouswith a pair of wings that serve `both as foot rests and as stabilizersto prevent roll or rotation of the aqua-sled about its longitudinalaxis. Two persons may be seated in the respective seats with their feetabout the `sides of the narrow body section and supported on thestabilizing wings. The wings are slanted upwardly toward the front ofthe sled so as to develop the dynamic water reaction, and also so as toblock the rushing water from passing lbetween the feet of the passengersand the wing. A V-shaped tow lie is coupled to either side of the bodysection near the lleading edges of the wings to reduce any tendencies toroll although a single tow lie may be used. Longitudinally along thebottom of the aqua-sled a number of keels, integral with the bodysection and wings, are provided to stabilize the aqua-sled againstskidding or transverse sliding movements.

The body section and winffs may be made of two pieces of Fiberglasreinforced plastic joined around the wings edges and front and back ofthe body section to provide for a hollow structure. Handles are providedon the body section in front of each seat for self stabilizing theperson in the seat.

Due to the buoyancy and stabilization features, the aqua-sled is quitesafe and does not require any skill or coordination from its passengers.They need only hold onto the handle in front of the seat and keep theirfeet on the stabilizing wings. The thrills and excitements associatedwith aquaplaning and water skiing are, accordingly, safely achieved ysothat even non-swimmers can readily utilize the aqua-sled.

3,082,443 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 Further advantages and features of thisinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdescription when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of the aqua-sled of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the aqua-sled of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a rear view of the aqua-sled of this invention taken alonglines 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view of the aqua-sled of this inventiontaken along lines 4-4- in FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 5 i-s a pictorial view of the aqua-sled of this inventionillustrating the positions of two persons on the aqua-sled.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 5, the aqua-sled 10 is a towed vehicleand includes a centrally located body section '38 and two wings 15 and16 which are contiguous with the body section 3S and extend fromopposite sides of the body section y38. The wings 15 fand 16 taperforwardly, as illustrated in FIGURE l, toward the body sec-tion 3S. Thenose of the body `section 38 is somewhat V-shaped so that the aqua-.sled1t) forms an overall rough V-shape in horizontal cross-section at itsfront. Except for the tapered portions of the wings 15 and 16 and theV-shaped nose of the body section 38, the sides of the body section 3Sand the edges of the wings are subst-antially parallel.

The aqua-sled 10 may be made of an upper and a lower shell or sectionwhich are joined at a seam 25. The two shells may be made of reinforcedplastic. The shells are quite sturdy land retain their shape whensubjected to considerable :dynamic pressures as the aqua-sled 10 istowed at a high rate along the water surface.

The upper and lower sections forming the aqua-sled 10 are joined alongthe edges of the wings 15 and 16 at the seam 25. As illustratedparticularly in FIGURE 4, the seam 2S is made of a metallic member 21bent in an S shape to engage the ends of the upper and lower sections. Acherry rivet 19 is pulled through the member 21 and the ends of the twosections. Adhesive is applied to the ends of the upper and lowersections so ice ' that the seam 25 hermetically seals the two sections.

The seam 25 runs around the entire aqua-sled 10 to seal ofr the airspace between the two sections. The space between the two sections maybe lled with a plastic foam or other buoyant material. In the event of aleak, the aqua-sled 1i)l then still retains :substantial buoyancy. Dueto the sealed off interior, the aqua-sled 10 is quite buoyant and eventhough relatively small, illustratively eight feet long and a width of34 inches across wing tips, it readily supports weigh-ts exceeding a fewhundred pounds.

The bottom of the aqua-sled toward the stern may be substantially at asdepicted particularly in FIGURE 3. The bottom of the aqua-sled towardthe bow tapers upwardly. Three keels 26 run longitudinally along thebottom of the aqua-sled 10 and are integral with the bottom section ofthe aqua-sled 10 although more or fewer keels may be provided. The keels2.6 `stabilize the aqua-sled against lskidding or sidewise movements.The wings 15 a-nd 16 extending from the opposite sides of the narrowbody section 38 stabilize the aqua-sled against rolling or rotationabout the longitudinal axis of the aqua-sled 10.

The forward [portions of the'wings 15 =and 16 are tilted upwardly at asmall angle to form a slanted surface for meeting the waves as theaqua-sled 10 is towed. The bend in the wings 15 is depicted particularlyin FIGURE 2. The wing configuration provides for maximum planing ability-with full utilization of the dynamic reaction of the water against thewings 15 and 16. Fur-ther, the

Water is prevented from rushing against the feet of the riders on thewings 15 and i6.

The body section 38 along the center of the aqua-sled defines twocontoured or bucket seats 12 and 13 spaced longitudinally along thesection 33. The seats 12 and 13 are quite narrow Vso that the feet ofthe aquasled rider extend forward at the sides of the section 38. Theposition of the seated riders relative to the body section 38`and thewings 15 and 16 is illustrated in FIG- URE 5. The upper surfaces of theWings 15 and 16 may serve as foot rests for the persons on the `sled 1dhaving integral contoured foot rests 32 and 33 for seat 13 and footrests 34 and 35 for the seat 12. These foot rests may be provided asintegral parts of the upper section of the two section-s forming theaqua-sled 10.

The persons on the aqua-sled It) maintain their stability by resting orbracing their feet on the foot rests 32 through 35 o'n the wings 15 and16 Vand by holding hand bars 28 and 29 respectively positioned adjacentthe two seats 12 yand 13. The hand bar 28 is positioned on the bodysection 38 in front of the seat 12 and the hand bar 29 is positioned onthe body section 38 in front of the seat 13. 'I'he aqua-sled 10 is towedby a U-line 40 attached to the body section 38 near the front edges ofthe wings 15 and 16 adjacent their juncture with the body section 38.VThe utilization of U-line 40 provides for two spaced apart tow points toincrease the stability of the aqua-sled against rolling although asingle tow rope attached at a single point may be used. The tendency toroll is increased if a single central tow point is used. v

In this manner, a highly stable and safe aqua-sled is provided made ofreinforced plastic sections sealed to provide high buoyancy. Theaqua-sled 10 has relatively few protrusions and no sharp protrusionwhich can be highly dangerous in the event of rolling.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated withreference to particular applications, the principles involved aresusceptible of numerous other applications which will be apparent topersons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limitedonly as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. An aqua-sled for towing comprising an elongated body and a pair ofwings; said body having a nose portion on one end, a stern portion atthe other end, and a pair of longitudinal side portions; said noseportion having a bottom surface tapering upwardly and side surfacestapering together at that end of said body; said body having a Ibottomsurface extending from the said nose portion bottom surface to the saidstern portion; each of said wings projecting laterally from one of saidlongitudinal side portions of the body, each said wing extendinglongitudinally from the stern to a 2location on said body near thejuncture of said nose portion with said body, each said wing having abottom surface joined with and comprising a lateral extension of thesaid bottom surface of the body for most of the length of the wing, aportion of each said wing bottom surface near said nose portion beinginclined upwardly from the body bottom surface; means on said body forattaching a tow rope; and said body having means for accommodating atleast one occupant.

2. An aqua-sled for towing comprising an elongated body and a pair ofwings; said body having a nose portion on one end,'a stern portion atthe other end, and a pair of longitudinal side portions; said noseportion having a bottom surface tapering upwardly and side surfacestapering together at that end of said body; said body having a bottomsurface extending from the said nose portion bottom surface to the saidstern portion; each of said wings projecting laterally from one of saidlongitudinal side portions of the body, each said wing extendinglongitudinally from the stern to a location on said body near thejuncture of said nose portion with said body, each said wing having abottom surface joined with and comprising a lateral extension of thesaid bottom Surface of the body for most of the length of the wing, aportion of each said wing bottom surface near said nose portion beinginclined upwardly from the body bottom surface, each said wing having aportion near said nose portion tapering inwardly and forwardly towardsaid nose portion from the lateral extremity of that wing; means on saidbody for attaching a tow rope; and said body having means foraccommodating at least one occupant.

3. An aqua-sled for towing comprising an elongated body and a pair ofwings; said 4body having a nose portion on one end, a stern portion atthe other end, and a pair of longitudinal side portions; said noseportion having a bottom surface tapering upwardly and side surfacestapering together at that end of said body; said body having a bottomsurface extending from the said nose portion bottom surface to the saidstern portion, at least one keel projecting downwardly from said bottomsurfaces and extending substantially the length of said bottom surfaces;each of said wings projecting laterally from one of said longitudinalside portions of the body, each said wing extending longitudinally fromthe stern toa loca-tion on said body near the juncture of said noseportion with said body, each said wing having a bottom surface joinedwith and comprising a lateral extension of the said bottom surface ofthe body for most of the length of the wing, a portion of each said wingbottom surface near said nose portion being inclined upwardly from thebody bottom surface; means on said body for attaching a tow rope; andsaid body having means for accommodating at least one occupant.

4. An aqua-sled for towing comprising an elongated body and a pair ofwings; said body having a nose portion on one end, a stern portion atthe other end, and a pair of longitudinal side portions; said noseportion having a bottom surface tapering upwardly and side surfacestapering together at that end of said body; said body having a bottomsurface extending from the said nose portion bottom surface to the saidstern portion, at least one keel projecting downwardly from said bottomsurfaces and extending substantially the length of said bottom surfaces;each of said wings projecting laterally from one of said longitudinalside portions of the body, each said wing extending longitudinally fromthe Stern to a location on said body near the juncture of said noseportion with said body, each said wing having a bottom surface joinedwith and comprising a lateral extension of the said bottom surface ofthe body for -most of the length of the wing, a portion of each saidwing bottom` surface near said nose portion being inclined upwardly fromthe body bottom surface, a keel projecting downwardly from said bottomsurface of each wing and extending at least a portion of the length ofsaid wing; means on said body for attaching a tow rope; land said bodyhaving means for accommodating at least one occupant.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,023,601 Simpson Apr. 16, 1912 1,222,114 McCarty et al. Apr. 10, 19171,356,013 Ranlett Oct. 19, 192() 1,758,289 Loy Mar. 13, 1930 1,953,359Marsh Apr. 3, 1934 2,286,350 Drake June 16, 1942 2,389,001 Schatz Nov.13, 1945 2,389,729 Hou-land Nov. 27, 1945 2,482,074 Stephens Sept. 13,1949 2,616,715 Billings Nov. 4, 1952 2,685,696 Oscanyan Aug. 10, 19542,716,246 Billingham Aug. 3G, 1955 2,802,222 Chapman Aug. 13, 19572,817,101 Chaffee Dec. 24, 1957 2,865,032 Moody Dec. 23, 1958 2,909,140Kiekhaefer Oct. 20, 1959 2,958,875 McClain Nov. 8, 1960

1. AN AQUA-SLED FOR TOWING COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BODY AND A PAIR OFWINGS; SAID BODY HAVING A NOSE PORTION ON ONE END, A STERN PORTION ATTHE OTHER END, AND A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL SIDE PORTIONS; SAID NOSEPORTION HAVING A BOTTOM SURFACE TAPERING UPWARDLY AND SIDE SURFACESTAPERING TOGETHER AT THAT END OF SAID BODY; SAID BODY HAVING A BOTTOMSURFACE EXTENDING FROM THE SAID NOSE PORTION BOTTOM SURFACE TO THE SAIDSTERN PORTION; EACH OF SAID WINGS PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM ONE OF SAIDLONGITUDINAL SIDE PORTIONS OF THE BODY, EACH SAID WING EXTENDINGLONGITUDINALLY FROM THE STERN TO A LOCATION ON SAID BODY NEAR THEJUNCTURE OF SAID NOSE PORTION WITH SAID BODY, EACH SAID WING HAVING ABOTTOM SURFACE JOINED WITH AND COMPRISING A LATERAL EXTENSION OF THESAID BOTTOM SURFACE OF THE BODY FOR MOST OF THE LENGTH OF THE WING, APORTION OF EACH SAID WING BOTTOM SURFACE NEAR SAID NOSE PORTION BEINGINCLINED UPWARDLY FROM THE BODY BOTTOM SURFACE; MEANS ON SAID BODY FORATTACHING A TOW ROPE; AND SAID BODY HAVING MEANS FOR ACCOMMODATING ATLEAST ONE OCCUPANT.